Means and article for improving combustion in internal combustion engines



June 17, 1958 J. A. MCKEEVER 2,339,037

MEANS AND ARTICLE FOR IMPROVING COMBUSTION IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Aug. 3. 1956 INVEN TOR. Mczffl f 47'7'02/VE'YS United States PatentO MEANS AND AIZTICLE FOR IMPROVING COMBUS- TION IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES This invention relates to internal combustion engines and has particular reference to a means and article for improving combustion in internal combustion engines.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide a novel means and article for improving combustion in internal combustion engines.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel method, means and article for use in connection with internal combustion engines to reduce exhaust smoke therefrom, to improve engine performance, both with respect to acceleration and horsepower, and to eliminate or reduce knocks.

Another object of this invention is to provide novel means located in the path of and contacted by the air flowing into an internal combustion engine, whereby combustion in the cylinder of the fuel mixture provided by said air and the liquid fuel in the carburetor is substantially improved.

A further object of this invention is to provide novel and improved means for causing contact between a catalytic material and a stream of air or a stream of gaseous fuel mixture to be injected into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine.

Other objects and advantages of this invention, it is believed, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a schematic elevational view of an internal combustion engine, carburetor and air filter therefor, and means embodying the invention arranged in the path of the air flow to the carburetor.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view through the air filter and a side elevational view of the means or device embodying the invention to be contacted by the air.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the parts shown in Figure 2 with portions broken away for clearness in illustration.

Figure 4 is a detached perspective view of one form of a means or device for carrying out the invention.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a blank from which the device shown in Figure 4 is formed.

Figures 6 and 7 are transverse vertical sectional views approximately on the planes of the lines 66 and 7-7 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 5, showing the blank partially folded to produce the completed device.

Figure 9 is a similar view showing the device completed.

For the purpose of illustrating the principles of the invention, it has been shown in conjunction with a known type of internal combustion gasoline engine, carburetor and air filter. It should be understood, however, that the invention is equally applicable to diesel engines. The reference character 10 generally designates the carburetor which has an air inlet 12 and an outlet 13 for the fuel mixture, which are in alignment with each other and have between them one or more liquid fuel inlets, such as fuel atomizing nozzles (not shown). The outlet 13 of the carburetor is connected to the intake manifold 14 of the internal combustion engine A in any suitable 2,839,037. Patented June 17, 1958 manner so that the air entering the inlet 12 becomes thoroughly. mixed with the liquid fuel and the fuel mix: ture is then drawn into the engine cylinders in the usual manner. 7

As usual, the inlet 12 has connected thereto an air filter B of known type, said filter including a main casing 15 containing oil 16 and open at its upper end for the admission of air. Coaxially arranged within the open end of the casing 15 is a secondary casing 17, the bot-, tom of which is spaced fromithe surface of the oil 16 so that air entering the open end of the main casing 15 may pass beneath the lower end of the secondary casing and upwardly therethrough. A filter element 18 in the form of a mass of intertwined or interlaced fine ice metal strands is deposited within the secondary casing 17 so that the air entering the casing passes upwardly through the filter element. From the filter element, the air ,passes downwardly through a tube 19 into the inlet 12 of the carburetor. As shown, the secondary casing has a removable cover 20 for the inspection and changing of the filter element 18, the edge of the cover overhanging the side wall of the secondary casing in spaced relation to the rim 22 at the upper end of the main casing 15 so that air may be'drawn by the engine cylinders freely between said overhanging flange and said rim into the filter.

Briefly, this present invention contemplates the location of a small surface area of a catalyst material in metal form or as a pigment coated on a carrier in the air stream, which material by contact with the incoming air will bring about a change in the combustion characteristics of the fuel-air mixture. No measurable amount of the catalyst is entrained in the air stream. The theoretical aspects of the invention are not fully understood, but it is assumed that the device, which brings about this change apparently without parting with any of its substance, either adsorbs nitrogen or reduces it, functions as a negative catalyst to reduce the harm brought about by the catalytic action of the cylinder wall material and/or deposits thereon, or functions as a positive catalyst'in a heterogeneous catalyst system to promote more efficient combustion. Accordingly, the novel article of this invention is referred toherein as a catalytic material.

A further reason for this belief is that observable re-' sults are never attained immediately after use, as is the case when an antiknock material of known type is used.

A period of operation up to an hour or more is usually required before results are observed. Furthermore, differ-' ing again from known antiknocks, the engine will continue to run with improved combustion and with diminished knocking for a considerable time after the device is removed. This phenomenon would lead to the logical conclusion that it requires a period of time for the negative catalyst to poison the catalytic agent already present and that it requires an equal or longer period of time for the catalytic agent originally .present to recover from such poisoning or for new deposits to form within the combustion chamber.

It is not necessary during use to heat this catalytic material; it operates equally well throughout the temperature range of 20 below zero to F.

It has been observed that there is materially less carbon deposit on cylinder heads and pistons after using the device. This decarbonizing is particularly noticeable on spark plug porcelains and electrodes after about one hour of use, thus indicating the existence of more complete combustion.

'The useful life of the various elements which have been tested for catalytic action has not been fully determined; however, as an index, 2000 miles of operation at a lower octane requirement has been obtained from a vane coated with pigments such as zinc oxide and/or titanium oxide in a suitable vehicle, baked for 30 minutes at 350 F.

The size of the surface area is of considerable importance. Using a titanium oxide .coated vane as a standard, an area of one square inch exposed to the incoming air operates satisfactorily with 'an engine of 250 cubic inches displacement. While there 'is a tolerance of approximately inch either way from this figure, it is important to note that an excessive area, for instance, double or triple the proper size, while still effective in improving acceleration and decarbonizing, will reverse its action as to octane requirements and becomes, in effect, a proknock. The area limits of other catalytic materials which may be used vary considerably and such limits will have to be determined by individual tests of each element or combination of elements suggested.

Without being further able to explain the theory underlying the operation of the invention, I do know, however, that the use of this device results in improvements, without further adjustment, in that the engine operates more quietly, at the same or lower temperature, starts quicker, has more power and greater acceleration, can be idled slower, the spark plugs and combustion chamber become freer from carbon deposits, and the octane requirements of the engine are lowered.

The means for locating said catalytic material in the air sh'eatn may be any of several different forms, but a now preferred form comprises a vane or plate of metal or a plastic or metal vane coated with pigment, separately mounted at the air intake of the air filter B at right angles to the axis thereof and facing the source of the air currents, for example, the fan C. While experiments indicate that many elements alone, such as zinc, copper, aluminum, barium and cobalt, have some or all of the qualities mentioned, such as better acceleration, power, economy and antiknock qualities, the best results so far have been obtained with a metal or plastic vane or plate having a coating comprising oxide pigments such as zinc oxide and/or titanium oxide in a vehicle such as linseed oil. More specifically, and as a first example of the invention, a most satisfactory mixture consists of about 30 percent by weight of titanium oxide in a vehicle of varnish, about 70 percent by weight. The mixture was painted on the steel plate and baked at 350 F. for 30 minutes.

The coated plate may be mounted within or on the filter B in any suitable way, for example, by spring clips or adaptors, but with the filter of the type shown, conveniently the plate may be formed from a single rectangular sheet of metal 33 having the coating applied to a portion thereof as indicated at 34, the sheet being slit at 35 along the inner edge of the coating and for substantially one-half the width of the sheet. The sheet is then bent along the longitudinal median line 36 from the edge opposite the coated portion to said slit so as to form a U-shaped clip 37 to frictionally embrace. or straddle the rim 22 of the main filter casing 15. Then the coated portion of the sheet is bent into a plane perpendicular to that of the clip, as best shown in Figures 3, 4 and 9. The device thus formed is mounted on the filter B by slipping the clip 37 downwardly ornpwardly over the rim or the casing 15 as shown in Figure 2, with the plane of the coatedportion 34 perpendicular to the direction of the air currents from the fan. With this arrangement, when the engine is operating, some of the air currents will impinge directly upon the coating 34 and then be drawn through the filter into the intake manifold 14.

The above material was painted on vanes as described above, and baked as in the first example to provide a baked enamel film.

Example 3 About 10% by weight of fullers earth was added to the composition of Example 2. The added material appeared to function as a catalyst promoter.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that with other types of air filters, the plate or device would be mounted in different locations and by different means, depending upon the construction of the filter and the location of the air inlet thereto.

While I have described certain materials, it should be understood that this is primarily for the purpose of illustrating the principles of my invention and that many other suitable materials may be utilized and other means employed in carrying out my method. Moreover, while I have shown one form of device for carrying out the method of the invention,it should be understood that many modifications and changes may be made in the construction of the device within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. Means for improving combustion in an internal combustion engine, comprising a supporting sheet of material, at least one surface of which is coated with a film of a catalytic material containing titanium dioxide, and means for positioning said sheet in a stream of air entering the engine cylinders of an internalcombustion engine.

2. Means for improving combustion in an internal combustion engine, comprising a supporting sheet of metal, at least one surface of which is coated with a baked enamel film of a catalytic material containing titanium dioxide, and means for positioning said sheet in a stream of air entering the engine cylinders of an internal combustion engine. 7

3. An article of manufacture for use in improving combustion in an internal combustion engine, comprising a supporting sheet, at least one surface of which is coated with a catalytic material, and clip means on said sheet for attachment thereof to said engine in a position to be exposed to a stream of air entering the engine cylinders.

4. An article of manufacture for use in improving combustion in an internal combustion engine, comprising a supporting metal sheet, at least one surface of which is coated with a baked enamel film of a catalytic material containing titanium dioxide, and clip means on said sheet for attachment thereof to said engine in a position to be exposed to a stream of air entering the engine cylinders.

5. Means for improving combustion in an internal combustion engine, comprising a supporting sheet of material, at least one surface of which is coated with a catalytic material comprising an oxide pigment, and means for positioning said sheet in a stream of air entering the engine cylinders of an internal combustion engine.

6. An article of manufacture for use in improving combustion in an internal combustion engine, comprising a supporting metal sheet, at least one surface of which is coated with a baked enamel film of a catalytic material comprising an oxide pigment, and clip means on said sheet for attachment thereof to said engine in a position to be exposed to a stream of air entering the engine cylinders.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,564,906 SOkal Dec. 8, 1925 1,717,767 Diaz June 18, 1929 1,723,422 Hubbard Aug. 6, 1929 1,777,554 Dueloux Oct. 7, 1930 1,941,487 Portail Jan. 2, 1934 2,632,296 Houdry Mar. 24, 1953 

